Gas purification



Oct. 27, 19.31. H. F SMlTH l 1,829,068

GAS PURIFICATION Filed Oct. 14l 1926 Patented Oct. 27, 1931 HARRY F. SMITH, F

DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GAS RESEARCH COMPANY, OF

DAYTON, OHIO, CORPOBATION- OF OHIO GAS PURIFICATION Application led October 14, 1926. Serial No. 141,544.

1()4 the removal of such impurities..

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description thereof set out below when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereof.

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a purifying apparatus embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a corresponding view through a slightly modified form of the apparatus; an

Fig. 3 is a similar, fragmentary, view of still another modified form.

This invention is intended, primarily, to provide for adequate cleaning or purifying of producer gas generated -in a domestic or household gas producer, designed to provide clean cold producer gas for general household utilization,-such as for cooking, heat-A ing water, use-in gas grates and the like? .And for purposes of convenience it will be described in connection with the purification of gas of this character made from a` fuel such as charcoal.` It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not so limited, but is of wi der and more general application.

Producer gas contains impurities, the quantity and character of the impurities dependingr on the nature of the fuel from which. the gas is generated, the method of generatinfr the gas, and other operating conditions.

Where producer gas made from bituminous coal.` which vcontains considerable quantities of volatile hvdrocarbons these limpurities consist almost entirely of a very `finely divided tar fog. With producer .gas made `from a fuel such as charcoal, the quantity of impurities i-s naturally very much less', since in the making of charcoal nearly all of the volatile hydrocarbons have been driven ofi'. The impurities in producer gas made from charcoalconsists ofcomparativelysmallquantities of tar fog, together with some finely divided charcoal and lampblack which float along with the gas. While the relative percentage of impurities in gas produced from charcoal is much less than in gas produced from bituminous coal, nevertheless the quantities are such that over substantial periods of use they will cause considerable trouble.

It can readily be seen that it will not require a very considerable accumulation of impurities in the openings of a gas stove burner to materially interfere with the burning of gas at that burner.

The impurities in producer gas, particularly the liquid or semi-liquid impurities such as the finely divided tar fog, are generally of such small dimensions that usual filtering means will not avail to sufficiently remove them. As described in applicants copending application, Serial No. 504,269, filed September 30, 1921, now Patent No. 1,608,678, dated November 30, 1926, the layer of purifying material should be so finely divided'that the particles thereof shall be of dimensions which are of a commensurate order of magnitude with the particles'of impurity to be removed from the gas. Where particles of this small .,size are used the interstices within the layer of purifying material will be of such size and character that the particles of impurity will not, pass through. The apparatus shown in the-'drawing is provided with a layer of purifying material of just such characteristics.

In the ,form of apparatus shown in Fig. 1

of the drawings the purifying mechanism comprises a cylindrical base member 10 the upper endof which receives a cylindrical container 11, which is attached to the base member 10 in any desired manner. Preferably this member 11 fits about the upper end of the base member 10 and sets upon a shoulder provided thereon, leakage being prevented between the two members by suitable packing 12. Adjacent its lower end the base member is provided with a gas-inlet opening 13 which is surrounded by an attaching fla'nge 14,

whereby the purifier may be bolted or otherwise attached to the gas-oitake pipe of the producer. Near its upper end the base member is provided with a gas-outlet opening 15, Awith which is associated a supporting member 16, positioned inside the base member 10 and having a gas passage therethrough. The free Vend of the' supporting member 16 is upturned and tapered as shown at 17 to provide a seat for receiving the bottom plate 20 of the purifier member proper. i

This purifier proper comprises a perforated cylindrical sleeve or partitionv 25, which is held between the bottom plate 2O and the top plate 26, the bottom plate 20 and the top plate 26 being clamped together, with the perforatedsleeve between them, in assembled position, by means of clamping bolts 27 Each of` these bolts 27 has one end threadedly mounted within a cooperating threaded open-A ing in the bottom plate 20 and has the other end extended through the top plate 26 with an adjusting nut 28 thereon, by means of which the parts can be drawn, and held, togethei. The bottom plate 20 is provided with an opening therein which is surrounded by a tapered upstanding liange 30, which receives the upstanding tapered portion 17, in gastight Contact. The member 17 and the flange 30 are preferably machined to provide a ground joint, which gives this gas-tight connectionf-theweight of the parts of the purilier proper being sufficient to eli'ect this.

The member. 25 may be of any suitable perforated material. It may be of rather heavy mesh wire screen; but preferably it is made from a thin perforated sheet of aluminum, or other material not injuriously affected by producer gas, bent into cylindrical form, with the ends of the sheet overla ping and riveted together, as indicated by t e numeral 35. The cylindrical member 25 is covered' by a layer of cloth 37, having a long nap-such for example as flannel, or other woolen cloth. As shown this cloth is in the form of a sleeve which is slipped over the perforated member 25, and preferably has the ends overturned to overlie the free ends of the member 25. This woolen sleeve 37 is so made that it is stretched somewhat to receive the member 25 and thus hugs the member 25. quite snugly. The overturned ends may be held in position by means of spring members 38. The bottom plate 20 and the top plate 26, are each provided with inwardly extending and preferably inclined flanges 39 and 40 respectively. These flanges of the top and base members receive'the ends of the cylindrical member, and serve to draw, and hold, the woolen sleeve 37 tight, as the top and bottom plates are drawn together by means of the adjusting'bolts 27. Bymeans of this arrangement the woo'len sleeve is maintained suitably tight so that objectionableV vibrations will not occur during operation.

The top plate 26 is provided witha handle 42, by means of which the purifier member proper may be inserted in placeor removed from posit-ion for renewal of the purifying material, or any other purpose. The construction above described makes for aconstruction much more rigid than will ordinarily be attained through the use of wire screen, and the perforated sheet of metal is therefore preferable to awire screen, for this purpose.

The upper end of the purifier mechanism is closed by a cover member 50, which is pivotally attached, at about its central point, to a swinging bar 51. This bar is pivoted at one end to a hinge member 52, which is shown as riveted to the upper end of the member 11. Also riveted to the upper end of the member 11. and substantially diametrically opposed to the member 52, is a member 53, which has pivotally connected thereto a swinging stirrup or lock member 54, which carries a wing set screw 55. The construction is such that when the bar 51 is swung to bring the closure 50 into position to close the upper end of the member 11, the stirrup 54 may be swung to overlie the end of the bar, after which suitable adjustment of the set screw 55 will lock the closure member in place. Of course, upon loosening the set screw and swinging the locking stirrup from over the end of the bar, the closure may be moved te open position. The bar 51 is provided with a projection 56 at one end, which is constructed to contact with the member 52 to limit the opening movement. The closure member is preferably provided with a packing 57, which may be of any suitable char? acter, and which seats upon the upper end of the member 11 to make a gas-tight connection.

The base member 10 is provided with a The impurities which are present in producer gas are of such character that if al-v lowed t'opass through a layer of woolen fabric, such las constitutes the sleeve 37, this sleeve would be quickl rendered useless. As the gas passed through such asleeve impurities would be deposited in thesleeve, both solid impurities' such as nely divided charf'.

coal and lampblackand liquidgimpurities such as tar fog. n But because of the tar fog- 13;?

assieme plish this undesirable result. And this tar is of such character that when the cloth has 'once become impregnated therewith it may not thereafter. in practice, be cleaned for use.

In operation, therefore, a layer of purifyl ing material is built up upon the sleeve 37 before a quantity of impurity laden gas suffi- -cient to cause material deposit of tar 1s passed therethrough. When the purifier mechanism proper` including a woolen sleeve 37 which has not been theretofore used. is first placed in use, a considerable quantity of finely divided charcoal is dropped into the member 11, the closure 50 being open for this purpose. This `is done with the exhauster of the producer running so that there is a flow of gases through the sleeve 37, in the normal direction of flow of thev gas to be purified. This divided charcoal is of such fineness that at least some of it will be carried by the moving currents onto the surface of the woolen sleeve 37. and will be entrapped within the nap of that sleeve, to build up a filtering layer thereon. As stated in the previously referred toco- 'pending application, it has been found that the cleaning effectiveness of a layer of finely divided materlal, such as this finely divided charcoal. is due to the action of a thin layer `upon the surface which is exposed to the gases to be purified. Consequently it is not necessary to build up al thick layer of this purifying material, but a suitable layer may be built up in the manner just described, the amount of fine charcoal which can be trapped and held by the nap of the wool cloth being ade- `quate to effect suitable cleaningf In fact it is only necessary that a sufficient layer of this finely divided charcoal be formed upon the wool cloth to prevent the liquid impurities in the gas from penetrating into the cloth. If a suitable thin layer of this finely divided purifying material is forlned upon the cloth, however, these liquid impurities will collect on this layer of purifying material, and not Within the cloth itself.

As the cleaning operation continues the depositing of these impurities tends to clog the layer of purifying material and therefore to build up resistance and cut down the fiow of fluid through the purifier. Under such circumstances the original cleaning effectiveness of the purifier may be renewed by simply removing the layer of deposited impurities. This may be done by scraping the deposited As stated in the c'opending application referred to it .is desirable that the charcoal dust, or other purifying material which is used to form a cdating upon the surface of the wool sleeve,

shall be of dimensions which are of the samey order of magnitude as the particles of 1mi purity to be removed. And it has been found that if this purifying material is of such character that it will pass through a 40 or (iO-mesh screen, and a considerable part of it pass through a 1GO-mesh screen it will be suitable. Nocareful sizing of the material is necessary, in this particular type vof purifier. The charcoal which is used in the domestic gas producer with which this purifier .is intended to be used is ordinarily crushed before use to break up the big pieces of charcoal and crush it to small size, say about the size of hickory nuts. In this crushing operation a substantial quantity of charcoal is reduced to dust. This finecharcoal or charcoal dust may be used in the purifier. If an excess of this material is dumped into the purifier as gases are flowing therethrough, the articles which are too heavy to be carried a ong by the gas will fall to the bottom of the base member 10, due to their own weight; but the finer particles which are of the dimensions needed will be carriedby the flowing gas against the wool screen and. deposited thereon.

Preferably, however, the finl'ely divided purifying material is first rubbed into the A member proper in order to restore the clean- .ing effectiveness. `By opening the closure member 50 ak suitable scraper may be inserted into the member 11 and moved around the wool sleeve to scrape off enough of the layer of purifying material to remove the impurities therefrom. Of course all of the layer of purifying material will not ordinarily be removed, some of it remaining within the nap of the Wool sleeve. If enough does not remain to prevent injury to the sleeve due to the accumulation of liquid impurities in the interstices thereof upon renewed operation, an additional supply may be thrown into the member 11 to build the layer of purifying material up to desired thickness. This layery of purifying material will be sustained in place only by the nap of the wool sleeve, and a thick layer will not ordinarily build up. In actual operation, with a domestic gas producer a layer only a fraction of an inch thick will be used. This is facilitated b v the construction shown having a substantiallyvertical filter member in which the layer of finely divided material is supported by the nap of the filter cloth at an angle-greater than the normal angle of repose, of this material, whereby excess material will fall off into the base of the housing of the purifier.

' passes through. the erfrated cylinder. As

aresult the gas ten s to hold the wool sleeve firmly against the perforated cylinder, whereas if the gas were first passed through the perforated cylinder it would tend to lift the wool sleeve away from the cylinder. This might result in setting up vibrations within the woolsleeve which would break the continuity of the layer of purifying material thereon, and thus permit gas to pass without having the impurities removed.

The form of apparatus shown in Fig. 2 differs from that shown in Fi 1 primarily in that the gas to bepurifie passes .from the base member 10 up into the inside of the perforated cylinder 25', and consequently the Wool sleeve 37 is positioned on the inside of the perforated cylinder rather than the outside, as is the casel with Fig. 1.

In the form of apparatus shown in Fig. 2 the base member is provided with a partition 100 having an opening therein correspondin in diameter with. the diameter of the cy indrical sleeve, and having an upstand mg flange 101 surrounding it. The member 11 receivesat its upper end a slidable collar105 having an opening therein preferably corresponding .in diameterwith the diameter of the sleeve 25. This collar also has packing on the upper face thereof, cooperating with the closure member for compression upper member 11.

thereby to make a gas-tight contact with the As the closure member is moved into position and locked this slidable sleeve 105 is forced against the upper end of the purifier member proper, and this in turn forces the lower end of the purifier proper against the upper inclined end of `the flange 101 to thereby lock the cylindrical sleeve 25 with the woolen sleeve 37 in position. As shown the sleeve 37 is positioned inside of the perforated cylinder and its ends are overturned to overlie the free ends of the perforated cylinder. And

when the parts are clamped in position as 'inAthrough the inletr passage 134 and after passing through the purfin member passes downwardly and outwa y t `rough the outf let opening 15. In this form of mechanism the layer of-purifying material is built up upon the wool sleeve in the manner described,

In Fig. `1" is shown means for introducing the finely dividedcharcoal o'r the like which goes izo-buildup the layer of purifying mabrial upon the fabric sleeve, without opening the top-of the purifier. In this form the-top closure member 150, is provided with van opening 151, through which finely divided purifylng material may be introduced. Rotatably mounted upon the closure member is a hopper 155, which is rovided with a downwardly extending sha t 156, the lower end of which extends through the closure member 150 into' the upper end of the purifier proper and carries a plate 157 thereon. The lower end of the member 156 is flattened, or otherwise formed so that the plate 157 will rotate with the member 156, but may be slidable therealong. The closure'member 150 is provided with aA downwardly extending flange 160 against the lower end of which the plate 157 seats.- The member 156 is provided- With a spring 161 which urges the plate 157 into Contact with the lower end of the Harige 160, an adjusting nut 162 being provided to maintain the desired contact. This plate 157 has an opening 165 therein. The hopper member 155 also has anv opening 170.

therein, the plate 157 being mounted upon the member 156 so that the openings 165 and 170 `are out of alignment with each other. They are shown as 180 degrees apart, but they can be given any suitable positioning but preferably should not be in register during operation of the device. The member 155 is provided with a downwardly extending flange 175, which is machined to form a ground joint with the upper face of the cover 150. This arrangement is such that during rotation of the hopper member 155 the finel divided material therein will pass through t e opening 170 into the passage or opening 151 asthe hopper member is rotated to bring the opening 170 to register with such'passage 151, and will pass from the passage 151 through the opening 165 down into the space within the purifier member proper as the hopper is further rotated, carrying the plate 157 with it to'bring this opening 165 into register with the passage 151. In this manner purifying material may be introduced as desired without in any way interrupting the opera-tion ofthe mechanism; and without permitting the ingress ofdair, or the escape of gas.

ile the forms of apparatus for carryingthis method into effect, constitutepreferred embodiments of the invention, it is'to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precisel method and forms of apparatus, and that changes maybe made in either Without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is v 1. A purifying apparatus, comprising a housing, a gas inlet and a gas outlet therefor, an upright perforate partition within slid housing interposed between .id inl and said lit method herein described, and the outlet and dividing the housing into a gasreceiving chamber and a gas-discharge chamber, a layer of filamentous cloth associated with said perforate partition, and a layer of finely divided filtering material supported by said filamentous cloth at an angle substantially greater than the normal angle of repose. of said filtering material.

2. A purifying apparatus, comprising` a housing, a gas inlet and a gas outlet therefor, a perforate partition disposed substantially vertically within said housing and interposed between saidv inlet and said outlet, a layer of filamentous cloth on the gas inlet side of said partition, means for holding said material to the partition to prevent destructive vibration being secured in place members, means independent of said housing thereof, and a la er of finely divided material supported by t e nap of said filamentous cloth on the gas inlet side thereof, the construction being such that a continuously maintained layer of said finely divided ma. terial is exposed to the incoming gas.

.3. A purifying apparatus, comprisin a housing, a gas inlet and a gas outlet therefor, and a removable filter member supported within said housing between said inlet and said outlet, said removable filter comprising a base member, a top member, a perforate partition secured between said members, fila mentous material covering the gas inlet side of said partition, said filamentous material extending around the ends of said partition and being secured in place by said base and top members, means for clamping the base and top members together to secure the parts in assembled relation and to hold the filamentous material against vibration, and a layer of finely divided material supported by the said filamentous material on the gas inlet side thereof.

4. In a. purifying apparatus including a housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a unitary removable filter member adapted t0 be supported within said housin between the inlet and outlet, said filter mem er comprising a base member, a top member, a c lindrical perforate partition supported etween said members, said top and base members haviiiginclined cooperating fianges adapted to center and snugly receive said partition, a filamentous covering snugly fitting about said partition, said filamentous coverin extendin around the ends of said partition and by said top and base for clamping said parts together to secure said filter member parts in assembled relation, a-nd a layer of finel divided filtering material supported by said lamentous covering on the gas inlet side thereof.

` 5. In a purifying apparatus including a housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a unitary removable filter member adapted to be supported within said housing between the inlet and outlet, said filter member comprisin a base member, a top member, a e lindrica perforate partition supported. said members, said top and base Vmembers having inclined cooperating flanges adapted to center and snugly receive said partition, a filamentous covering snu ly ttin said partition on the gas inlet si e thereo said filamentous covering extending around the ends of said partition and being secured in place by said top and base members, a clamping bolt for securing said top and base members together to clamp said filter member parts in assembled relation, and a layer of finely divided filtering materials supported by said filamentous covering on the gas inlet side thereof.

6. A purifying apparatus, comprising a housing, a. gas inlet and a gas outlet therefor, a unitary removable filter member supported within said housing between said inlet and said outlet, said filter member comprising spaced top and base members, and intermediate filtering means, and a clamping bolt for clamping said top and base members together with said filtering means therebetween, a removable cover for said housing to permit vready removal and insertion of said unitary filter member, means for clamping said cover in gas-tight relation thereon, the gas inlet side of said intermediate filtering Ameans bein in free communication with the ,lower en of said housing whereby impurities removed by the filtering means and droppin off of the same fall into the lower end of tie housing, and means permittin removal of impurities from the lower end of said housing.

7. A purifying apparatus comprising a housing, a gas inlet and a gas outlet therefor, and a unitary removable filter `member sup` ported within said housing between said in let and said outlet, said removable filter comprising a base member, a top member, an intermediate filtering means having a generally upright fibrous side wall, clamping means for clamping said base member and top member in spaced relation with said filtering means therebetween, and a layer of finely divided filtering material supported by said upright fibrous side wall on the gas inlet side thereof.

8. A purifying apparatus comprising a housing, a gas inlet passage and a gas passage therefor, one of said passages terminating in an upwardly extending tapered pipe, and a unitary removablefilter member supported within said housing between said inlet and said outlet, said filter member coinprising a base member having a tapered` opening therethrough adapted to receive said tapered pipe in gas-tight relation to provide a support for said unitary filter member, a top member, an intermediate cylindrical filter member, and a clamping'bolt extending be'- tween said top and base members for clamp# ing the same together with the fiiter membery clamped therebtween, the construction being tween v outlet v iso 6 'ganados such that the parts of the filter member are nely divided material on said filamentous rigidly fastened together for-withdrawal as material. y a unit from the housing upon merely lifting In testimony whereof I hereto affix my sig-v the member from the conical supporting pipe. nature. 4 5 9. A purifying apparatus comprising a HARRY F. SMITH.

housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, 1 a conical su port therein, a unitary removable filter mem er having a correspondingly shaped conical support adapted to be received by said first mentioned conical sup- 75 `port for mounting the filter member within said housing between said inlet and said outlet for free removal therefrom, said removable filter comprising a base member, a to i 'u member, an intermediate lterinfr means, andv l B y. ties removed by said filtering means anddropmeans for clamping said parts 1n assembled relation with the gas inlet side of said ltering means communicating directly with the lower end of said housing whereby impuriping o-" of the same fall into the lower end of said housing, a releasable closure for the lower end of said housing for the removal of impurities therefrom, and a releasable cover clamped on the upper end of said housing for the removal from and the insertion into said K ousing of said unitary removable filter memer.

Al0. A purifying apparatus comprising a housing, a gas lnlet passage opening into the 9 .50 said lter means communicating with said A v 11;'

l the `removal from-and insertion into said 55 bel'. la;

interior thereof, a gas outlet pipe extending into the interior of the housing and terminatl ing therein in an upwardly extending tapered portion, a unitary removable filter member supported within said housing between said 1, in et and said outlet, said lilter member comprising a base member having a tapered opening therethrough adapted to receive said tapered portion of the as outlet pipe in gas 40 tight relation to provi e a support for said i l ,0.,

unitary filter member, a top member, an intermediate substantially vertical filter means including a layer of finely divided lterin material supported on the exterior of sai filter means, means for clamping said parts 11,.

in assembled relation with the finely divided filtering material on the exterior of said filter kmeans communicating directly with the' said gas inlet of said housing and the interior of tapered gas outlet pipe, and a releasable cover clamped on the upper end of said housing for housing of said unitaryv removable filter mem- 11. A purifying apparatus, comprisin a housing, a gas inlet and a gas outlet thereor,

` a rigid perforate partition within said hous-A ing inter osed between said inlet and said. 00 outlet, a filamentous covering for the gas in- 125 let side of said partition, and a duster mechanism associatedwith said hou adapted 'to introduce finely divided mata?? into the gas stream on the inlet side of said partition to fl ,thereby` build up I. Iay of said4 .v y. 

